Mosquitoes infected with West Nile and EEE viruses detected in region
Mosquitoes trapped in Waterford and Lyme have tested positive for West Nile virus, Ledge Light Health District reported Tuesday.
A combination of mammal- and bird-biting species was collected in Waterford, while the mosquitoes trapped in Lyme were bird-biting only. Positive WNV mosquitoes normally are expected during the summer months, and their presence serves as a reminder for residents to take standard precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, the health district said.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. While most people infected with the disease experience no symptoms, about one in five develop a fever and other symptoms. About one in 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.
On Friday, the state Department of Public Health announced mosquitoes trapped Sept. 23 in Pachaug State Forest in Voluntown tested positive for the virus that causes Eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE.
They were the first EEE-infected mosquitoes identified in the state this year by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, the department said, and were a predominately bird-biting species and a mammal-biting species.
“We encourage residents of southeastern Connecticut to take simple measures such as wearing mosquito repellent and covering bare skin, especially during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active,” said Dr. Manisha Juthani, the DPH commissioner. “While the detection of EEE virus is of concern, it is important to remember that we do not expect to see a lot of mosquito activity in the month of October.”
EEE is a rare but potentially serious illness. Mosquitoes that transmit the virus can only acquire it by feeding on infected wild birds. In most years, the virus is found only in species of mosquitoes that feed on birds, but occasionally the virus can be passed on to other mosquito species known to bite people and horses. The virus cannot be passed from person to person or from horses to humans.
The risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases such as EEE usually increases through the late summer and early fall. Mosquitoes are active until the first heavy frost.
In 2020, mosquitoes infected with the EEE virus were detected on single occasions in only two locations in Connecticut: Stonington and in the Windham County town of Hampton. No infections in people or horses were reported.
The previous year saw the worst EEE outbreak in state history, with four human cases occurring in southeastern Connecticut, three of which were fatal.
Recommended precautions
To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, residents should:
• Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeve shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect babies when outdoors.
• Consider the use of mosquito repellent when it is necessary to be outdoors.
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